Alli has been managing a hamstring problem, Dier has missed the last three games with a thigh injury and Eriksen has not fully recovered from an abdomen injury, yet all three have been called up by their countries for the games next week.

That is not ideal for Pochettino, not to mention the other players that are still playing catch up from an extended stint at the World Cup, but he has no choice but to wave them off.

“Yes it is true if you said to me would you prefer all my international players stay here and rest for two weeks without competition, I would say yes,” he said.

“But that is impossible. That is why we were talking before about Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen and international duty.

Eric Dier has been called up for England despite missing Tottenham’s last three games with injury (Nick Potts/PA)

“It is play, play, then move them there and play again. If you see our schedule for the next few months it will be so tough. How do you manage that?

“I understand we need to sacrifice some games for some players so they can cope with the demand in the future.”

Dier was named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the games against the United States and Croatia shortly after Spurs had confirmed he was fit after his recent injury.

With Mousa Dembele out for the rest of 2018 it seems likely that Dier will come straight back into the side at Selhurst Park.

“Of course now every time I decide to pick my starting XI I have a name I feel comfortable to play,” he added.

“It’s so important. Because competition in football is an important thing that puts pressure on yourself. It’s not only the pressure from the coaching staff, fans and club.

“It’s from your team-mate. ‘If you are not ready I’ll take your place’.

“The most important thing is when you players start to feel pressure from their team-mates pushing you to move and be conscious and responsible to increase your level. That is a very good thing that happens in teams that need to win.”

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here